The actions of 2-4 extremists who were not part of the protest march in no way reflect the sentiments and feelings of those individuals who marched in Dallas last night. While you may not be able to grasp it, people with more than one functioning brain cell can be pro-black lives and pro-police and can mourn the loss of innocent black men at the hands of police officers while simultaneously mourning the five officers killed last night.

On second thought, what am I doing? I know you’re just here to troll reasonably minded people with your base and intolerable denseness.

In past demonstrations Black Lives Matter supporters have chanted “pigs in a blanket, fry ’em like bacon” and “What do we want? Dead cops.”

This organization even refuses to accept court decisions where officers are found not guilty or where an investigation finds an officer did not commit a crime. And of course they say nothing about black on black crime.

And from these two statements you’re willing to paint an entire movement in one particular light? I guess by the same logic every Trump voter is a virulent anti-Semite?

It was a peaceful demonstration and police were providing traffic control and logistical support to a group of people trying to exercise their First Amendment rights. Why you feel the need to come in and take a dump on the whole thing is beyond me.

July 8, 2016 6:33 PM

gcp

I condemn an organization whose members refuse to accept decisions made by a judge in the Gray case and the DOJ and the DA in the Brown case. In other incidents officers are immediately criticized even before we know relevant facts. And yes, I do condemn the above statements as would all rational thinking folks.

July 8, 2016 6:54 PM

Andrew C. Pope

“I condemn an organization whose members refuse to accept decisions made by a judge

So I take it you’re pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, and believe OJ didn’t do it?

“I condemn an organization whose members refuse to accept decisions made by … the DOJ.”

So I take it you’re no longer voting Republican and you won’t be voting for Donald Trump this November?

Just because a judge/jury/grand jury/prosecutor/investigative agency makes a decision, it doesn’t mean you have to like it. The folks who protested in Baltimore, Ferguson, and elsewhere were vocalizing their displeasure with a system that, all too often, feels weighted against people of color. As an attorney, I think the officers in the Gray case prevailed because the prosecutor overcharged and tried to turn a single into extra bases. They were, by no means, “innocent.” I think the DOJ should have presented charges to a federal grand jury in the Mike Brown case and I disagree with their decision not to do so.

I just came from services, so I’m in a much better mood than earlier. I will caution you, however, that it is unfair to allow the signs, chants, or slogans of a few govern your opinion of an entire movement. It’s unfair to say that BLM wants to kill police based on two statements you heard on TV. It’s equally unfair to take overtly sexist signs about Hillary Clinton (for example: “KFC’s Hillary Special: 2 fat thighs, two small breasts, 1 left wing”) displayed by attendees at Trump rallies; racially insensitive photos and memes of President Obama that circulate on conservative message boards, Twitter, and at Tea Party events; or the virulently anti-Semitic remarks some Trump supporters have lobbed at Jewish-American journalists and draw the conclusion that all Republicans are sexist, racist, and/or anti-Semitic.

July 8, 2016 9:39 PM

gcp

“So I take it you’re pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, and believe OJ didn’t do it?”

I can disagree or agree on a variety of issues and decisions including actions of law enforcement. The problem with the national BLM group is that they believe police are wrong on all high profile/controversial use of force cases even when evidence shows use of force was justified. Also note fatal use of force cases are relatively few given the huge number of daily police/citizen contacts yet BLM and others choose to magnify certain incidents. And where is the BLM criticism of the high level of daily violence we see in some communities?

The national group is an extremist organization that believes black poverty and incarceration are acts of “state violence” and the government is committing genocide. One of their stated goals is to “disrupt” the nuclear family. The BLM inspired mobs that we see in various cities have accomplished nothing positive.

I have been disappointed with most all our national leaders. I hear talk of “systematic racism” and “disproportionate treatment.” When someone actually makes realistic suggestions to reduce all violence within a community then maybe I will listen.

July 10, 2016 2:44 PM

Noway2016

Drew, quick question: where did the protestors come from who were dancing and celebrating after the massacre and taunting the cops and looting the 7-11? In keeping with your narrative of peace, I’m assuming they were bused in separately after the original group peacefully departed after a soul wrenching rendition of Kumbaya??